Cambridge pupil and MP say yes to votes at 16

Parkside pupil Florence Austin (15) has joined forces with Labour MP Daniel Zeichner to call for the government to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote in the upcoming EU referendum announced in today’s Queen’s Speech.

After Scotland’s bold and successful decision to give 16 and 17-year-olds their say in the Scottish independence referendum, more than 100,000 registered to vote.

Florence said: “Being in or out of the EU is a massive decision which will affect my life for decades to come. Scottish teenagers got to have their say last year in their referendum, so I think all British 16 and 17 year olds should have our say in the EU referendum.”

The MP, who will be campaigning to stay a part of the European Union says: "This is a once in a generation opportunity to have a say on the future direction of the United Kingdom. Young people have a tremendous vested interest in whether or not we stay in the EU or leave.”

Other places where 16 year olds regularly vote include Germany, Norway, Austria, Brazil, Hungary and Guernsey.